<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 7px;">When we say “hidden biases,” we’re talking about implicit, cognitive bias, or the tendency we all possess to process information by filtering it through our own experiences, beliefs, and familiar social structures. In June, we looked at the <a href="http://www.wisbar.org/NewsPublications/BarBriefs/Pages/BarBriefsArticle.aspx?MKTID=mkt465e">types of cognitive biases</a> that can affect us. Now, we want to look at how to identify these biases when they sneak into our professional interactions.</p><ul style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 7px;"><li><strong>Start with yourself.</strong> We ALL possess prejudices and preconceived notions. Recognizing that you personally have biases can help you overcome them. Want to explore more? <a href="https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/takeatest.html">Take the Bias Test</a>. </li><li><strong>Evaluate the manual.</strong> Does the employee handbook use gender-neutral language? Are there policies in place for employees with disabilities? Make sure your employee manual is not endorsing exclusionary practices from day one. </li><li><strong>Recruitment, training, and hiring.</strong> Consider creating a blind system for initial candidate evaluations. Have someone outside of the decision-makers remove information that may trigger hidden biases, like candidate photos and names. Some firms have even started <a href="http://www.foxrodney.com/unconscious-bias-and-recruitment-minimising-the-impact/">removing school information</a> so there can be no preference (or appearance of preference) given to fellow alumni. </li><li><strong>Review your review process. </strong>Is your feedback occurring at the same frequency and quality for all staff members? Standardize the review process and make sure all employees are receiving direct feedback about their job performance. This means calling out accomplishments or areas for improvement using specific, relevant examples. </li><li><strong>Listen to who’s talking… and who isn’t.</strong> <a href="https://hbr.org/2012/03/the-new-science-of-building-gr">Research from MIT</a> shows that effective teams have balanced participation from all members. So, the next time you’re in a meeting or a presentation, write down everyone who speaks and what his or her idea was. Then, write down how it was received by the group. Write down who stayed silent. (If this sounds like too much effort, then try recording the meeting or have the meeting transcribed and review it later). Start asking those who aren’t speaking why they choose to stay silent. You might be surprised by their answers. </li><li><strong>Look at the breakdown of office tasks.</strong> Who takes the notes during meetings? Who orders the office supplies? Who plans the holiday party? Who waters the plants? If your office is like most, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/08/opinion/sunday/sheryl-sandberg-and-adam-grant-on-women-doing-office-housework.html?mcubz=3">the answer is a woman</a> – regardless of her rank in the organization. If there are no administrative assistants, office managers, or junior-level employees to tackle these projects, try creating a rotating schedule so that one person (or gender) isn’t always relegated to this type of work.</li></ul> <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 7px;">These are just a few ways you can root out biases within your organization. For more ideas and research, check out these eye-opening articles.</p>

<h3 style="color: #045394; margin-bottom: 7px;"><img src="http://images.wisbar.org/Images/DigestEmails/HolidayStress_175w.jpg" alt="" width="175" height="109" align="right"/>3 Holiday Stress Busters</h3><p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 7px;">A <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health-news/what-stresses-us-most-at-the-holidays-113015#1">recent survey</a> by Healthline found just about everyone feels some degree of stress during the holidays. Try these tips to stop stress in its tracks. </p><p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 7px;"><strong>Set a budget – and stick to it.</strong> ‘Tis the season for spending. But that doesn’t mean you have to break the bank. Reduce money worries by reviewing your finances and determining a realistic budget for gifts, food, travel, etc. Then stand by your budget in spending discussions with friends and family. </p><p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 7px;"><strong>Don’t neglect yourself.</strong> Be your best self this holiday season with some self-care. Get enough sleep. Take short breaks to sit still and breathe. Sniff citrus scents to boost your mood. Take a walk in the sunshine. Or listen to your favorite music. </p><p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 7px;"><strong>Consume with care.</strong> Aim for foods that grow on trees or in the ground (fruits and veggies). When you can, choose healthy fats (like olive oil), lean protein (think fish and chicken), legumes, nuts, and seeds. The healthier choices you make, the more energetic and focused you’ll feel. </p><p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 7px;">If you’re struggling with lots of stress or stuck in the winter doldrums, you don’t have to face it alone. Call the confidential <a href="http://www.wisbar.org/formembers/wislap/Documents/WisLAP%20Brochure.pdf">Wisconsin Lawyers Assistance Program (WisLAP)</a> to talk to a fellow lawyer or judge about how you feel and find resources to help you get on the path to feeling better.</p>

<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 10px;">If it is, Happy Birthday from the State Bar of Wisconsin! In recognition of your special day, the State Bar is pleased to offer you a special<strong> 20% discount</strong> toward the purchase of State Bar of Wisconsin PINNACLE<sup style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 0; ">®</sup> products through December 29, 2017. </p>

<div align="center"><img src="http://images.wisbar.org/Images/DigestEmails/Student_Corner.jpg" width="250" alt=""/></div> <p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 7px;"><strong>Watch for Networking Opportunities Next Semester!</strong></p><p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 7px;">Probably the most important factor in finding a job – besides graduating – is having a large, well-connected network of professional contacts. Becoming involved in State Bar-sponsored activities helps you establish that network. Take advantage of opportunities to meet and interact with legal professionals in several ways, including by:</p><ul style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 7px;"> <li>Attending <a href="http://marketplace.wisbar.org/CLESeminars/Pages/default.aspx">PINNACLE</a> seminars and institutes* </li><li>Writing articles for publication in <a href="http://www.wisbar.org/NewsPublications/SectionDivisionNewsletters/Pages/section-and-division-newsletters.aspx">section and division newsletters</a> </li><li>Attending conferences and special events </li><li>Participating in programs sponsored by the State Bar at your law school </li><li>Exploring practice areas through <a href="http://www.wisbar.org/formembers/groups/sections/Pages/Home.aspx">State Bar Section activities</a></li></ul><p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 7px; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:8pt;">*All Law Student Associates automatically receive all the benefits of an Ultimate Pass Gold! The PINNACLE Seminars Ultimate Pass Gold is a one-year subscription that gives you unlimited access to any live, video, webcast, webcast replay, telephone, or CLE OnDemand seminar produced by the PINNACLE Seminars Division for free!</p>

<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 6px;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:8pt;"> *This offer is not available with any other discount and expires December 1, 2017. Discount cannot be applied to previous purchases or used for renewals of subscriptions, auto-supplementation subscriptions, or Books UnBound full library subscriptions.</span></p>